ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Rural Development
Government of India reiterates its commitment to release funds for wage and material payments for proper implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi NREG scheme
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act  provides guarantee of at least 100 days of wage employment against the demand made by a household in a rural area.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is a demand driven scheme.
During the Current financial year so far more than 240 crore person-days has been generated as per the demand by the beneficiaries.
Fund release towards wage and material is a continuous process. There has been increase of more than 18% of funds allocation for the current financial year in comparison to previous financial year as budget estimate. During the current FY so far more than Rs.68,568 crore funds have been released for the implementation of the scheme in the States/UTs.
Whenever, additional fund is required, Ministry of finance is requested to provide the funds. In the previous financial year, Ministry of Finance allocated Rs.50,000 crore additional funds for the scheme over and above that of BE.
Recently, Ministry of Finance allocated additional funds of Rs.10,000 crore for Mahatma Gandhi NREGA as an interim measure. Further, allocation may be made upon assessment of demand during the Revised Estimate stage.
Government of India is committed to release funds for wage and material payments for proper implementation of the scheme, as per the provisions of the act and guidelines applicable for Central Government as well as State Governments.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA completes 36 years of existence: 36 km Cyclothon organized to mark the event
Agency has sanctioned RE loans of more than Rs. 1.45 Lakh Crores and financed RE loans exceeding Rs. 92,000 Crores
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited  organised a Cyclothon event today. The event was organised to cover a distance of 36 kms with a minimum coverage of 3.6 kms to commemorate 36 glorious years of IREDA’s existence as a mother organization through financing Renewable Energy  Sector in India.
The Cyclothon was flagged off by Hon’ble Secretary, MNRE, Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, IAS  from India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bhalla complemented IREDA for spearheading the development of Clean and Renewable Energy  in India since last 36 years. He further mentioned that IREDA is the largest RE financing agency amongst all the domestic funding arms. Shri Bhalla congratulated IREDA for organizing the Cyclothon Event, not only from the health perspective, but also promoting the significance of a green energy for a clean environment.
Gracing the occasion, Shri Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale, Joint Secretary, MNRE applauded IREDA over conducting such events from time to time and praised IREDA’s major contribution towards advancing RE development in India.
CMD, IREDA, Shri Pradip Kumar Das stressed upon the fact thatIREDA being the largest RE funding agency in the country, stands fully committed towards achieving the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ‘Panchamrita’ targets and to be an integral part in achievingthe 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030.IREDA has cumulatively sanctioned RE loans amounting to more than Rs. 1.45 Lakh Crores and financed RE loans exceeding Rs. 92,000 Crores as on datewith a loan book size exceeding Rs. 40,000 crores, ensuring Best Corporate Governance practices, which have become benchmark to others. This has led to IREDA being upgraded to AAA  Rating from the earlier AA  Rating by ICRA due to the complete turnaround in IREDA’s performance in the last three years through best quality governance.
Shri Das added that while this event is an effort towards propagating the importance of clean energy in the society at large, it also shows IREDA’s commitment towards health and fitness of human assets.
The Cyclothon event was attended by Shri M Nagaraj, Director , HUDCO and Shri Lokesh Kumar Aggarwal, Director Finance & CFO, ITDC along with officials from the MNRE, DPE, C&AG, PFC, REC, BHEL, MMTC, AIIMS, and also private firms like HCL, AMAZON etc. The event was also graced by participants from Germany who shared their experiences of cycling in India and expressed their delight to be participating in this event.
Mr. Vijay Sharma, International Badminton player, also joined and graced the occasion.
Shri Awanish Kumar Bharati, General Manager, REC anchored the event and performances.
Ministry of Railways
MoS, Railways Ministry Raosaheb Dadarao Patil Danve and MoS, Health Ministry Dr. Bharti Pawar flag off the Manmad-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai Special train service
Shri Raosaheb Dadarao Patil Danve, Minister of State for Railways and Dr. Bharati Pawar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare flagged off the Manmad-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai Special train service today from Manmad Railway station in Maharashtra. MoS, Railways joined the event through video-conferencing.
While addressing the gathering on the occasion Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve said ‘During Covid-19 pandemic when everything was closed, the railways continued its freight and parcel operation to maintain the supply chain for the benefit of its citizens’.
Shri Danve said the railways aims to complete 100% electrification of its broad- gauge lines by the end of 2023. MoS for Railway Ministry added ‘the railways are also working towards station development, dedicated freight corridor, doubling etc’
Dr. Bharti Pawar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare expressed her gratitude towards Railways for considering her demand to run this train for the benefit of farmers, traders, students and daily commuters.
Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, General Manager Central and Western Railway welcomed the gathering and briefed about the running Manmad-Mumbai special train and how it will benefit rail users in the vicinity.
Shri Suhas Kande, Hon’ble MLA present as Guest of Honour. Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, General Manager, Shri B.K. Dadabhoy, Additional General Manager and Principal heads of departments of Central Railway were present at CSMT headquarters. Shri S.S. Kedia, Divisional Railway Manager, Bhusaval Division was present at Manmad.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of badminton player Shri Nandu Natekar
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of badminton player Shri Nandu Natekar.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Shri Nandu Natekar has a special place in India’s sporting history. He was an outstanding badminton player and a great mentor. His success continues to motivate budding athletes. Saddened by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Defence
Indian Coast Guard will celebrate 45th Raising Day
Indian Coast Guard is celebrating its 45th Raising Day on 01 Feb 2021. From a modest beginning with just 07 surface platforms in 1978, ICG has grown into a formidable force with 156 ships and 62 aircraft in its inventory and is likely to achieve targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025.
As the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world, Indian Coast Guard has played a significant role in securing the Indian Coasts and enforcing regulations within the Maritime Zones of India. True to its motto “Vayam Rakshamah” meaning “We Protect”, the service has to its credit saving over 10,000 lives and apprehending around 14,000 miscreants since inception in 1977. On an average, Coast Guard saves one precious life every second day at sea.
Despite the restrictions imposed by the ‘COVID-19’ pandemic, Indian Coast Guard has maintained 24x7 vigil in the Exclusive Economic Zone, by deploying about 50 ships and 12 aircraft daily. The deterrence at sea and coordinated air surveillance by the service enabled seizure of contraband worth about ₹ 1,500 Crore and apprehension of more than 10 foreign fishing boats with 80 miscreants illegally operating in the Indian EEZ alone in year 2020. The ‘Preventive and Measured Response’ stance of operations introduced just over a year ago, ensured that more than 6,000 fishing boats with about 40,000 fishermen were escorted to safe harbours during the passage of 11 cyclones last year, thus averting loss of lives and property at sea.
In consonance with the Hon’ble PM’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ - Security And Growth of All in the Region, Indian Coast Guard created maritime history in dousing a raging fire onboard the 333 M long Very Large Crude Carrier Motor Tanker New Diamond with about 3 Lakh Metric Tonnes of crude oil off Sri Lanka, thereby averting a major ecological disaster. Further, ICG also provided Pollution Response assistance to Mauritius during the grounding of Merchant Vessel Wakashio and provided 30 T of Pollution Response equipment in addition to training. ICG is also collaborating with littoral countries to combat transnational maritime crimes and enhance maritime safety in its area of responsibility and in the Indian Ocean Region.
To harmonise the Maritime & Civil Aviation Search & Rescue mechanism, ICG conducted National Maritime Search & Rescue Board meeting and followed it up with SAR Exercise-2020  to validate the existing mechanism for undertaking Mass Rescue Operations. In order to synergise Coastal Security and intelligence, a maiden seminar was conducted to enhance the effectiveness of Intelligence sharing between stakeholders. The service is also working in close coordination with Central and State agencies to put in place a robust Coastal Security mechanism.
The President of India, Vice President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister congratulated the Indian Coast Guard on completion of 44 glorious years of yeoman service to the nation and appreciated the remarkable role played by the service in pursuit of the nation’s interests in the Maritime Zones.
AYUSH
AYUSH Minister Inaugurates National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders
Union Minister of State  for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated today National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders  upgraded from Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine  at AG Colony Road, Erragadda, Hyderabad. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri G. Kishan Reddy was also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Naik lauded success of the CRIUM in the treatment of vitiligo and other chronic and stubborn diseases and said that it’s perhaps the only medical institution in the world which has treated more than 1.5 lakh patients of Vitiligo alone.
In his address, Shri G. Kishan Reddy called the researchers to find safe and viable solutions to prevalent health challenges, such as vector borne diseases, non- communicable diseases, cancer and tuberculosis.
Addressing the audience, Additional Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Shri Pramod Kumar Pathak highlighted current health challenges and urged all to exploit the potential of Unani Medicine in addressing them through its cost effective remedies.
Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine  said that the NRUMSD has been upgraded from the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine  to a premier institute under the CCRUM.
RJ/SK
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Ministry of Defence
CURTAIN RAISER
Naval Commanders’ Conference 2023/2 
The second edition of Naval Commanders' Conference of 2023 is scheduled at New Delhi from 04 to 06 Sep 23. The Conference is the apex-level biannual event facilitating interaction between the Naval Commanders for deliberation and formulation of important policy decisions. During the three-day Conference, being conducted in a ‘Hybrid’ format, the senior leadership of the Indian Navy, under the Chairmanship of the Chief of the Naval Staff, will review major operational, materiel, logistics, HR, training, and administrative activities undertaken during the previous six months. The Conference will also deliberate upon the course to be steered in the ensuing months.
Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri will address the Naval Commanders during the conference and interact with them, the Chief of the Defence Staff will also be present. The Conference also provides an opportunity for institutionalised interaction of Naval Commanders with senior Government officials to take ahead several inter-ministerial initiatives towards the development of a safe and secure maritime environment essential for the holistic economic growth of the country.
The conference and the embedded interactions with the NSA, Chiefs of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force would also be utilised to analyse the operational environment, deliberate on the issue of Tri-Service synergy and assess the readiness of the Maritime forces.
The last six months have seen an intense operational tempo as the Indian Navy’s operations spanned from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Indian Naval ships were first responders for the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan as part of ‘Op Cauvery’ and HADR in Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha as part of ‘Op Karuna’. In keeping with the expectations of IN being the preferred security partner and first responder to any crisis in the region, the forum will undertake a detailed review of the operational readiness of the Navy, with a particular focus on the performance of weapons/ sensors of the Naval platforms.
The Commanders will also review the ongoing Naval projects with a focus on enhancing indigenisation through 'Make in India' in consonance with the vision of achieving complete ‘AatmaNirbharta’ by 2047. A demonstration of the indigenisation, Innovations and Tech initiatives by the IN is also planned on the sidelines of the conference. Various HR initiatives towards enhancing quality of life will be reviewed as well as the progress made towards identifying and removing archaic practices in the Indian Navy.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of Air Services Agreement between India and Rwanda
Cabinet approves signing of Air Services Agreement between India and Rwanda
(The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of Air Services Agreement between India and Rwanda.
The Agreement has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between India and Rwanda, bringing it in tune with developments in the civil aviation sector. It will provide enabling environment for enhanced and seamless connectivity while providing commercial opportunities to the carriers of both the sides ensuring greater safety and security.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
MoPSW best practices to Institutionalise Swachata and Pendency Removal Under the Special Campaign 2.0 in its day to day functioning
Focus is on removing pendency and improving efficiency with more transparency
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways  has taken a number of initiatives under the ‘Special campaign for Disposal of Pending matters’  of GoI. MoPSW has identified removing pendency and improving cleanliness as the key focus areas, which will result in better record management, improve work efficiencies, enhance transparency and contribute towards a sustainable future. Steps are being taken for maintenance of the government files and getting rid of the obsolete ones. In other words, record management activities of the government offices are to be improved under Special Campaign 2.0. Special emphasis is also on the e file record management under the amended Manual of Office Procedure.
Special Campaign 2.0 seeks to institutionalize Swachata and removal of pendency not only as one time best practices, but imbibing them as a matter of habit in the day to day functioning. In this phase, the number of campaign sites have been identified to include the remotest sites and offices that have the highest public interference in the country.
As stipulated in the SCDPM 2.0 guidelines, special focus is on field/outstation offices in addition to the Ministries/Departments and their attached/subordinate offices. All the major ports and subordinate/attached offices of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways are undertaking various efforts to remove pendency and improve cleanliness in their offices and their office compounds.
Under the ongoing activities the Paradip Port has disposed-off 900 tons of scrap till now which has generated revenue of ₹4.3 crore. They have repaired the old furniture and have donated them in schools. Also, by demolishing old buildings at the port premises port has got half acre of land which will be used for future purposes. Apart from this, they have also set-up an emergency ward in the hospital which will be inaugurated on 31st October,2022. Considering today’s need, they have appointed an Ayurveda doctor as well.
The activities undertaken by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways , and its various organisations under Swachata Campaign 2.0 in line with the basic spirit of the SCDPM 2.0 Campaign primarily aiming to achieve the objective of efficiency, ease of doing business and better and faster decision making by decluttering working place as well as getting rid of archaic rules and regulations. These are necessary pre requisites for making ready and launching India and the Maritime Sector onto the path of progress in the Amrit Kaal thereby enabling citizens to reap rich dividends.
Ministry of Power
PM's call to switch off lights gets a “ Huge Response”- says Union Power Minister
There was a huge response to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's call to switch off lights and light a lamp as a show of national solidarity in the fight against COVID-19, said Union Minister of Power Shri R.K. Singh late here yesterday, immediately after personally monitoring the power grid handling during the light off and light a lamp campaign on 5.4. 2020. While Shri R K Singh was away with his officers monitoring the grid at the National Power Monitoring Centre during the event his family members were all together lighting 'diyas' of hope and positivity for all.
The Minister in his tweets said that demand went down from 117300 megawatts at 2049 hrs to 85300 megawatts till 2109 hrs; that is a reduction of 32000 Megawatts in a few minutes. The demand then it started increasing. Frequency and voltage was maintained within a normal band of 49.7 to 50. 26 Hz, which means the voltage was kept stable. The drop in national demand by 32000 megawatts shows a huge response of the nation to the call of the Prime Minister.
With successful completion of the lights-off event, Shri Singh congratulated the nation as well as the national power system for working as a team. He gave hearty congratulations to the citizens for discharging their role successfully during the 9 pm 9 minutes call of the Prime Minister. He expressed his compliments to the national grid manager POSOCO, and power gencos NTPC, NHPC, THDC, NEEPCO, SJVNL, BBMB and PGCIL and officers as well as engineers from State electricity departments for working as a team.
He concluded by stating, "All of us and the whole nation stands together with our Prime Minister in this fight against Coronavirus in the country. India stands together with the Prime Minister”.
RCJ/M
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Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s remarks on Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Lok Sabha
Respected Mr Speaker Sir,
I am very grateful to you for giving me permission and time to speak.
Respected Mr Speaker Sir,
I only wish to take 2-4 minutes. Yesterday was a golden moment in India's parliamentary journey. All members of this House, members of all parties, and even the leaders of all parties are deserving of that golden moment. All of them deserve this whether inside or outside the House. Therefore, through you today, I would like to say that this is a very important decision and will infuse new energy into the nation's mother power. After we complete the final stage in the Rajya Sabha today, following yesterday’s decision, the change in the temperament of the nation's mother power, the confidence that will be born, it will emerge as an unimaginable, unparalleled force that will take the country to new heights. I can feel it. Being the leader of the House, I stand here today to express my heartfelt and sincere congratulations and gratitude to all of you for this sacred task, for your support and meaningful discussions.
Namaskar!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.
Special Service and Features
Destruction of “Ketamine Hydrochloride”, of valued Rs 9.4 Crores seized at Anna International Airport and Air Cargo Complex
The Airport Customs, Chennai have caused the destruction of NDPS contraband substance, “Ketamine Hydrocloride”, in the incineration plant at a biomedical waste facility at Chengelpattu, Kancheepuram District, in the presence of members of Drug Disposal Committee along with Officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Chennai Zonal Unit and in public presence. Two cases of contraband substance containing “Ketamine Hydrocloride”, was found concealed in the leather jackets  and wooden gift shield  at Air Cargo complex and the other two cases, of the contraband substances containing “Ketamine Hydrocloride”, weighing 34.051 Kgs was seized from the baggage of the passengers at the Anna International Airport, Chennai.
Totally, 47.021 kgs of narcotic drugs, worth ₹9.4 Crores, seized at Anna International Airport and Air Cargo complex was incinerated according to the press release by Pr. Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Airport Commissionerate.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Every Indian should visit the National War Memorial to witness a part of India's history: Anshu Malik
Wrestler Anshu Malik, who recently etched her name in history books by becoming the first Indian woman to win Silver in the World Championships, visited the National War Memorial at New Delhi.
The 20-year-old Indian wrestler took a tour around the national monument which is designed in a circular form, with ramps leading down into a large amphitheatre-like circular space, in the centre of which stands an obelisk. At the base of this, burns the eternal flame ‘Amar Chakra’ in the memory of all the soldiers who laid their lives during the armed conflicts of Independent India.
“Visiting this monument of great national importance, I feel that it has so much knowledge to offer about the glorious war history of our country. Seeing the names of around 26,500 fallen soldiers carved in the bricks of the Tyag Chakra made me feel as that each soldier is like another strong brick in the nation’s defensive wall”, said Anshu.
“Like the eternal flame in the Amar Chakra, all of these martyrs as well as their act of valour will always remain immortal in the heart of every Indian,” she added.
Meanwhile, Anshu paid tribute to Capt. Pawan Kumar from Dogra Regiment who also hailed from her native town, Jind in Haryana. "It was a great experience visiting the National War Memorial. I urge every Indian to visit this Memorial and witness an important part of India's history."
“When a common citizen or any other public figure shows interest in visiting and knowing the war history of the country, we as a soldier feel very encouraged and honoured about belonging to the Armed Forces,” said an Army Official who guided the athlete in understanding all the sections of the memorial.